the closest anyone in america has come to at. it's quiet and full of mementos, marking his 46-year career. during that time, kennedy went from jfk's little brother to the senate's last liberal lion. proof of how big an impact he made. he was behind more than 2500 bills during his time in washington, 300 enacted into law. tom fit gerald has more on his legacy. >> reporter: it's hard to imagine when he first entered in 1962 as a 30-year-old, words like inexperience and neofight were used to describe him. -- neophyte describe him. his death is at the center of a fiery debate. >> this is the cause of my life. >> reporter: for senator kennedy, healthcare reform was more than an issue. >> we will break the old gridlock and guarantee that every american north, south, east, west, young, old, will have -- [ indiscernible ] and quality healthcare as a fundamental right and not a privilege. >> reporter: it was a battle he waged for more than 40 years. >> i said it in 1980, i say it in 1982 and i will continue to say it until it comes true.